Gulf Coast Symphony & Gulfshore Ballet present ‘The Nutcracker’ Dec. 20 & 21

November 23, 2025

Dec. 20 at 7:30 pm | Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. | Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall

The Gulf Coast Symphony and Gulfshore Ballet reunite on the stage of Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall for their annual performances of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.

Due to popular demand, a third performance has been added for this year. The performances will take place on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 7:30 p.m. , and on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW in Fort Myers.

Tchaikovsky’s two-act ballet – which is based on the Alexandre Dumas version (1844) of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s tale, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (1816) – follows young Clara and her enchanted Nutcracker prince on a magical Christmas Eve journey to the Land of Sweets.

With music performed by the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra, the dancers of the Gulfshore Ballet will present original choreography by Iliana Lopez and Franklin Gamero, complete with exquisite costumes – such as Mother Ginger’s 85-pound, 9-foot-wide skirt – and many elaborate stage elements – including a mesmerizing flurry of delicate, fluttering snowflakes.

To purchase tickets for The Nutcracker call (239) 277-1700 or visit gulfcoastsymphony.org.

Photos from “The Nutcracker” 2024 (by Bruce Jaeger).

Gulfshore Ballet is Southwest Florida’s premier not-for-profit school of Classical Ballet with an internationally acclaimed teaching faculty. Offering area students the unique opportunity to study with professional instructors of the highest caliber, the training at Gulfshore Ballet combines Cuban, American and Russian technique, and brings a quality of excellence not normally found outside major metropolitan cities. GSBallet.org